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Trim with Knots?

I have recently installed new Marvin wood windows. The trim carpenter came today to finish the window trim on the interior. There are several knots in the wood and it concerns me...even though I am going to be painting it. Isn't detail trim work supposed to be the best pieces of the wood? I understand that baseboards & longer cuts would have these imperfections, but should i be concerned around my windows?

P.S.-there are a few other things that concern me...is this just being petty?

Re: Trim with Knots?

We'd need photo evidence to make that judgment call. If you spec'd stain grade materials, then knot free would be expected. Paint grade generally will have a few defects, though usually still knot free. Usually paint grade wood is finger joined segments, which removes all defects that can cause a poor finish.

Can you elaborate on a few of the other concerns?

I suffer from CDO ... Its like OCD, but in alphabetical order, LIKE IT SHOULD BE!!!

Re: Trim with Knots?

was stain grade trim specified, i have run into this in the past. did a place last summer where teh homeowner didnt mention anything about the trim detail other than they want the new windows to have "new trim" once it was installed they complained that they didnt get virola pine.

the trim budget was $2000 for material which they signed off on, but then complained they didnt get virola. for us to buy that amount of trim in virola wouild have been $7500

Re: Trim with Knots?

the job i mentioned, the client was a complete pain in the butt, they starting drawing changes on teh drawing and trying to say we didnt see the change. such as key structural items going from a dropped steel beam to a flush beam, door sizes.

there were a few times where the gc pulled us off the job for a day or two at a time because the homeowner kept changing their mind multiple times a day in regards to floor layout driving the trades insane

Re: Trim with Knots?

Originally Posted by MichaelWayne

My concern with the knots is that, over time, i will have to replace the trim because of wood decay or something.

As long as the knots are tight and solid, they'll endure the test of time. If, however, there is bark, or they're dried and loose, then yes they have the potential to degrade and fall out. Where you'll see the worst behavior is where knots are exposed to the elements. As long as they're properly prepped and painted, they should remain stable.

I suffer from CDO ... Its like OCD, but in alphabetical order, LIKE IT SHOULD BE!!!